BATON ROUGE -- The Senate went along with House changes to a bill repealing a $15 increase in the cost of driver's licenses, a bill Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has opposed.

File photoSen. Joe McPherson

Senators accepted a relatively minor change to Senate Bill 407 by Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth, 28-6. Jindal can sign the bill, let it become law or veto it.

Tuesday was the deadline for the Senate to pass the bill and send it to Jindal so lawmakers could have the chance to override a veto during the session if Jindal spikes it.

McPherson asked for concurrence of an amendment added to his bill by Rep. Jim Morris, R-Oil City, on Monday. Morris' amendment would prohibit the state from closing local or regional motor vehicle offices if the $15 reduction takes place.

State Police and the administration have opposed the repeal saying it will take $13.5 milliion away from the motor vehicles office and could cause layoffs and office closures, including terminating some State Police officers.

The increase from $21.50 to $36.50 went into effect March 8, based on the enactment of a law in 1989 that allowed for the increase.

McPherson said that since the law was enacted, the Legislature has approved a process to require fees be authorized by a two-thirds vote and hearinsg gheld before fees are imposed.